Barcelona
Barcelona 2025
This May, my lovely wife and I visited Barcelona.
It's a beautiful city full of colors, shapes, diverse cultures, and fascinating architecture.
We stayed not far from the city center, at Hotel Arconte, located in a quiet neighborhood full of restaurants and cafés. The metro station was less than half a kilometer away, and the metro became our starting point for visiting all the city's major landmarks and attractions – and, of course, for getting to the beach.
Barceloneta Beach is a nice sandy beach surrounded by countless restaurants, bars, and cafés. Not far from the beach, there's a marina full of luxury yachts and a modern shopping center.
Among Barcelona's most stunning landmarks – and the main reason for our visit – is Gaudí's Sagrada Família, still an unfinished masterpiece combining Gothic and modernist styles. The basilica is absolutely breathtaking and definitely worth visiting. I recommend buying tickets in advance – as with most attractions – because the demand is really high. The cathedral rises majestically above the city and is visible from almost every elevated spot. The view of it is simply magnificent.
It's also worth visiting Park Güell, Casa Batlló, and Casa Milà – two of Gaudí's most iconic buildings. Don't miss La Rambla, or the Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia, located in the historic Gothic Quarter of Barcelona. Another highlight is the cable car ride up to Montjuïc Hill, where you'll find Castell de Montjuïc, the oldest preserved structure on the hill, housing several museums and exhibition areas. From the castle, there's a stunning view of the city and the nearby port.
A walk through Parc de la Ciutadella is perfect for relaxing. You'll find a beautiful fountain there, and you can even rent a small boat to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere surrounded by palm and magnolia trees. From there, you can continue toward the Arc de Triomf, along a palm-lined promenade.
Barcelona is one of those cities full of history, charm, and positive energy. People are friendly, and life seems to flow at a slower pace. We also visited several restaurants, but perhaps the most memorable experience (even though we didn't actually eat there – haha) was a traditional Chinese hot pot restaurant, where you cook your own meal. You put different ingredients into boiling water and create your dish just the way you like it. However, when we spotted some hairy pig's feet, we burst out laughing and decided to leave – I guess we're not quite ready for that yet!
Overall, we really enjoyed our time in Barcelona. Our favorite metro rides were, as always, pleasant and a bit adventurous – you sometimes get on the wrong train or end up searching for the right station. But that's all part of traveling. It gives you a chance to talk to people and get to know the local culture better.
I'm attaching a few photos for a better impression.
And my advice to finish: Travel. Because it's simply the best – something that moves you forward, broadens your horizons, teaches you new things, and fills you with happiness.